With Facebook making a massive push towards virtual reality and the metaverse, the world of work is guaranteed to change. Forecasts from 2021 suggest that 25-30% of American professionals in the will work from home on multiple days a week by the end of 2021. As a result, many companies have discovered the hidden benefits of remote work. Remote work is improving quality of life for professionals. For instance, an emphasis on mental health, flexible hours, and output-based performance measures have helped some companies to be more productive with a remote approach. Virtual reality is another factor that we predict will change the future of work.
VR can Change the way we Tackle Existing Problems
What role does virtual reality play in the future of work and changing professional landscape? VR technology has the opportunity to revolutionise the way we train current workers and teach future workers. For instance, virtual workplace training solutions are useful for remote-working. In other words, many industries have benefitted from remote work. Remote training in engineering and construction using a virtual reality application is no different. This is exciting because of how effective VR is for immersive and interactive learning. VR training can be up to 4 times as efficient as basic e-learning models.
Large players in the tech world are realising that the future of VR does not only lie in entertainment. Apple’s purchase of multiple VR companies strongly indicates that this technology will be crucial to the future of business. In December 2020, Forbes revealed that companies are investing billions of dollars into VR applications. They range from employee training and immersive learning, to VR-based social platforms and NASA’s astronaut training. In other words, investment into VR is on the rise.
VR training can be up to 4 times as efficient as e-learning models.
PwC, Seeing Is Believing report, 2020
A Remote-First Working is huge for VR Advocates
As the workplace of the future moves towards a more remote-first, or virtual model, virtual reality technology will be an increasingly vital tool. Comfort with interacting with VR is predicted to be an important professional skill. PwC and Forbes have conducted original research on the future of VR, and they have come to a similar conclusion. Above all, this technology is predicted to quickly shift from a ‘nice-to-have’ to a ‘must-have’ for many industries. With the pandemic forcing many industries to rethink traditional workflow and training models, VR is in a position to be a versatile tool for many. This is exciting for us at Sozo.
Above all, businesses will need to ask themselves: if it’s just a matter of time before VR applications replace existing solutions, how do we make sure we’re not left behind?
